Stewart Downing says the prospect of new players arriving at Anfield is a constant motivation to perform at his maximum level.

Following an initial period on the substitutes’ bench at the outset of the 2012-13 season, the 28-year-old broke into the team at left-back and later re-established himself in a traditional wide position.

A frank chat with Brendan Rodgers prompted a remarkable turnaround for Downing, who has started each of the Reds’ last 10 Barclays Premier League games — a run which included his first league strike for Liverpool.

“When the manager gave me a chance again, it was probably the last one I was going to get as he was looking at bringing players in,” said the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough winger. “If I keep playing well, he can’t leave me out. That’s how I see it at the minute. If you don’t perform, he will be disappointed and you won’t play.

“If he does strengthen again in the summer, it will be good for the team. But every game I play, I have to do well as I know he is going to strengthen.”